Toronto Blue Jays sign 3 Dominicans to Major League Baseball deals, Toronto firma 3 Dominicanos

The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of  the most active teams in signing Dominican talent since Epy Guerrero joined their staff as on of the most powerful and respected scouts in baseball.  The Dominican Baseball Guy has commented on Epy Guerrero and this Dominican pipeline in the Blue Jays system previously, here and here.

The days of Epy Guerrero dominating and bringing all the top Dominican talent to Toronto are passed, as Guerrero is more of an independent scout nowadays.  He has his own training academy and the Dominican Baseball Guy found some cool pics of him and his academy at Joao Canziani's Flickr page.

But the Blue Jays are obviously active in the international market, as they recently signed seven Latin American prospects, including three Dominicans.  The Jays signed pitchers Alberto Tirado, Yeyfrey del Rosario, and Jairo Labourt.

No data on any of these Dominican peloteros.  See ya in five years guys, if you're great...and lucky.  

Dominican Baseball Card #4: Tony Fernandez

Dominican Baseball card #4 is 1990 Fleer #634 Tony Fernandez/Cal Ripken Jr.  Obviously Tony Fernandez is the Dominican Part of this card.  Tony was part of the Dominican influence with the Blue Jays throughout the 1980s.  The Blue Jays were one of the first teams of the modern era to have a bunch of Dominican players on their big league team and in their farm system.  Epy Guerrero was responsible for signing a lot of these Dominican players.  Here is an article from 1989 and a more recent one on Epy.

 Tony Fernandez was a great shortstop that played an incredible 18 seasons in the big leagues from 1983-2001.  He had four strait gold gloves in the late 1980s and made the all-star team 5 times.  Tony was part of the Blue Jays World Championship team in 1993 and reached the World Series again in 1997 with the Cleveland Indians, but lost to the Florida Marlins.  He had a career .288 average and hit .300 four times.  He actually played one year in Japan, before returning to Toronto to retire as a Blue Jay in 2001.  Tony had a very long and successful career.  Another Dominican from the famed city of San Pedro de Macoris.

Tony was in Toronto in August to honor the anniversary of a no-hitter in which he played.  From Slam Sports:

The most exciting moments of the day came just before the game when the Jays celebrated the 20th anniversary of Dave Stieb's no-hitter. With old teammates Tony Fernandez, Jesse Barfield, Pat Hentgen and Duane Ward on hand, the crowd of 26,624 applauded warmly for all five players, but especially for Stieb, who appreciated the ceremony. "It was a real thrill to relive a few of those old moments," said Stieb, who was daughter Patty accompanied him. "I will never forget this day."

Not sure what else Tony is up to now, but post a comment if you have heard anything.  Hopefully he is still involved with baseball in the DR or somewhere.